4th of July 5k - La Pine Frontier Days

Saturday, July 4^th (after having a couple of glasses of wine the night before) started off at the La Pine Frontier Days Fun Run 5k.  About 30 people showed up – didn’t realize La Pine had that many ‘healthy’ people willing to get up and partake in the 3.17 mile run on that bright, sunny morning.

Here’s me, doing a little pre-run stretching with my new, cool iPhone in hand. There should be an app for stretching.

The race took off from the Frontier Days location, and looped down a road that ran right beside the La Pine Rodeo, which I missed this year but did spot the rodeo queen while we were en route. She was on her horse and I thought about asking for a lift. I should mention that I also spotted her in the beer store the day before, wearing her crown that looked a little Burger King-esque. She was still wearing it.

The race took a turn down a dirt fire road, complete with potholes and thousands of mosquitoes, where we (the runners) doubled as breakfast. I’m thinking this was just another obstacle put on the course as motivation to run faster. It worked. I can, however, confirm what doesn't work and that would be the iPod “anti-mosquito” app. Don't waste your dollar on that one. 

We ran further down the mosquito-infested path and then across more water, which the race coordinators put a makeshift “bridge” consisting of a couple 2 x 4’s, and warned us of ‘obvious beaver activity.’ I was sure the “gadgets” and me were going into the water at one point or I would be attacked by an angry beaver defending his log jam.

Popping out of the wetlands around the local high school, we looped through the parking lot where many horses and trailers, including Ms. Rodeo Queen, were gearing up for the annual 4^th of July parade (and lawn mower race). Had to be careful where you ran on that leg of the tour to avoid any road hazards left by the horses. I slowed down at one point to watch one parade participant spray paint her horses’ ass with red glitter paint – that was a new one for me. The horse did not seem to mind.

Turning the final corner, and to my horror, the parade, was getting ready to start. On the sidewalk, which also served as the last half mile of the 5k, and was lined with many parade spectators, lawn chairs, coolers, kids, strollers, family pets and all. The final few minutes were more of an obstacle course than a race.

Despite it all, I finished in 27 minutes and 36 seconds with no animal attacks (other than mosquitoes), soggy gadgets or horse pies to clean off of my shoes.  I will chalk it up as a success. The lady who won it for the over 30 crowd was in her 60’s and had a time of a little over 18 minutes. Her daughter, in her late 40’s came in second at 22 minutes. Apparently, I still have to work to do. Will take the gold next year for sure.